PCPPG Podcast – SDCC 2018 – SHAZAM! STAR TREK, ZIM

On this episode of Pop Culture Power Playground, TV Editor Tom Chang, and writers Parish Hodges, and Ruben Diaz make their observations on San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) 2018.

Parish opened the show talking about her excitement about Kim Possible live action, the return of Invader Zim and Rugrats, showed her disdain for the rebooted Buffy: The Vampire Slayer announcement and genuine disgust at reboots in general.

Ruben mentioned the trailer DC’s Shazam! and its refreshingly different tone for a World of DC/DC Extended Universe franchise film. Tom compared Shazam! to the Tom Hanks’ classic Big.

Shazam! follows the story of a young Billy Baston (Asher Angel) being granted the power of Shazam from the Wizard (Djimon Hounsou) becoming the new superhero in adult form (Zachary Levi). Given how Billy’s discovering his new powers, there’s such an innocence about the character. The question of what would you do if you could be a superhero is certainly relatable to the audience.

Ruben didn’t have any similar kind remarks about DC’s Aquaman calling the trailer very Marvel, but did enjoy the Glass trailer.

Glass is the sequel to Unbreakable and Split from director M. Night Shyamalan, which sees David (Bruce Willis) crossing paths against his rival, Mr. Glass (Samuel L. Jackson) and the wildcard, Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy), who inhabits multiple personalities including the dangerous Beast. Dr. Ellie Staple (Sarah Paulson) is the psychiatrist tasked to examine all three.

Ruben also noted the momentous occasion of Marjorie Liu for winning Best Writing among her numerous accolades at the 2018 Eisner Awards at SDCC. Tom noted how far along the geek and nerd community have embraced women within their respective industries.

Tom’s observations was how diminished The Walking Dead after the immense popularity it gained over the years. Ruben gave up on the show early, while Parish stopped following not long after the show killed off her favorite character. Tom also noted the potential return of Patrick Stewart to the Star Trek franchise as a kind of passing of the torch, no other series was ever afforded.

Stewart’s return as Captain Jean-Luc Picard sparked an intrigue with Ruben that it could show Picard’s final days as captain of the Enterprise as the crew transitions.

The show closed out with the brief mention of the return of Star Wars: The Clone Wars to allow creator Dave Filoni the opportunity to finish the animated series and give it, its proper sendoff with its seventh and final season.

What was your most exciting moment for SDCC 2018? What was your most disappointing moment? Is there anything you like to see us cover on the show? Sound off in the comments.

Sci-fi and technology geek since the NES days, Tom loves everything from the cult classics, the contemporary hits to the beast with two backs that is Disney and Marvel.
His life's mission is to be the ultimate nerd savant sitting on the iron throne as CEO of Skynet while masquerading as a vigilante at night wearing hockey pads.